For best experience please turn on javascript and use a modern browser!
You are using a browser that is no longer supported by Microsoft. Please upgrade your browser. The site may not present itself correctly if you continue browsing.
Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication ACLC

Language in autism

LiA explores language and communication (acquisition/development) in autistic individuals. This includes developing new (experimental) methods to adequately investigate the diverse autistic population across the life-span. With our results we aim to a) inform theory (linguistics and cognitive sciences) and b) serve as input for improved autism diagnosis and intervention.

Key objectives

  • Developing research questions based on both theory and the autistic community’s needs, and tailoring methods to be suitable for investigating the diverse and heterogeneous autistic population;
  • Description of various language profiles in autism; comparisons with other clinical populations;
  • Fundamental: Explanation of variation and individual differences based on theory (linguistics/psychology), providing new insights in both linguistic theory and architecture of human cognition, specifically in the Constraints on Variation in Language and Communication;
  • Society: Input for improved evidence-based diagnosis and intervention in autism;
  • Support early-career researchers.

Events

LiA convenes every week for one hour, currently on Mondays 12-13. More practical/organizational Lab Meetings are alternated by Presentation Meetings.  LiA will initiate 1-2  ACLC seminar lectures per year.

We also intend to organize meetings in which we present and discuss our results with stake-holders (e.g., self-advocates, relatives, caregivers, teachers, practitioners).

Coordinator and group members

Coordinators: Ileana Grama and Jeannette Schaeffer

Group members:

  • Staff (in alphabetical order): Corina Andone (FGW); Raquel Fernandez Rovira (FNWI); Monique Flecken (FGW); Karen Lahousse (University of Leuven); Beyza Sümer (FGW); Tim Ziermans (FMG).
  • Bachelor’s and Master’s students interested in and/or working on language in autism. 
  • Speech-Language Therapists interested in language in autism.